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Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has made seven changes to his starting XV for the opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup against Russia in Tokyo.
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Despite losing heavily in their final World Cup warm-up match against South Africa in Kumagaya a week-and-a-half ago, the Brave Blossoms impressed in many aspects during the 41-7 defeat.
However, even with a strong showing in the second half, Joseph has rung the changes for the first match of his side’s home tournament.
Blindside flanker Michael Leitch will become the second player to captain Japan at two World Cups, following in the footsteps of former loose forward Takuro Miuchi.
The 30-year-old will lead a forward pack which will have five new faces from the side that faced the Springboks.
Loosehead prop Keita Inagaki is the only front rower who retains his place from Japan’s last outing, with veteran hooker Shota Horie and Tongan-born tighthead prop Asaeli Ai Valu replacing Atsushi Sakate and Jiwon Koo, respectively.
There’s also a new-look second row, as foreign-born locks Wimpie van der Walt and James Moore coming in for Luke Thompson and Uwe Helu.
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Thompson has been demoted to the bench, and is in line to become the first player to represent Japan at four different World Cups should he make an appearance off the pine on Friday night.
Leitch is joined in the back row by Pieter Labuschagne and Kazuki Himeno, who replaces Amanaki Mafi at No. 8.
The only changes in the backline come at scrumhalf and on the left wing, as Yutaka Nagare and Lomano Lemeki are named in place of Keita Shigano and Kenki Fukuoka.
Friday’s clash is set to be a momentous occasion for not just the Brave Blossoms, but also their opponents, Russia, and the entire nation of Japan as they become the first Asian country to ever host a Rugby World Cup.
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Heading into the fixture as firm favourites, it’s uncommon for Japan to be faced with such scrutiny as the rest of the rugby world watches on, but Joseph is under no illusions that his side can live up to expectations at Ajinomoto Stadium.
“Pressure is a big part of the job and I guess I’ve been in some pretty big-pressure situations: my mother died a month ago, it’s a big pressure for me being the only boy in the family,” the former All Black said.
“I’ve been to two World Cups and played in a World Cup final so I’m really looking forward to what’s coming and the players are as well.
“It’s going to be a big occasion, not just for our team but for the country, but you can’t really replicate what coming up for the players. The boys have got to enjoy the opportunity of playing some good rugby in front of their home crowd.”
Japan side to face Russia in Tokyo on September 20:
- Keita Inagaki
- Shota Horie
- Asaeli Ai Valu
- Wimpie van der Walt
- James Moore
- Michael Leitch (capt.)
- Pieter Labuschagne
- Kazuki Himeno
- Yutaka Nagare
- Yu Tamura
- Lomano Lemeki
- Ryoto Nakamura
- Timothy Lafaele
- Kotaro Matsushima
- William Tupou
Replacements: - Atsushi Sakate
- Isileli Nakajima
- Jiwon Koo
- Luke Thompson
- Hendrik Tui
- Fumiaki Tanaka
- Rikiya Matsuda
- Ryohei Yamanaka
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Leinster are going to win the world cup.
11 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
41 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
41 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
41 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
11 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
41 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
11 Go to commentsWowee!
11 Go to comments